A Big Series
Taking two-of-three in Anaheim is a big achievement for the Yankees. They lowered their magic number to five for the AL East. They also made it very likely that winning the AL East will clinch them the best record in the AL because Boston is closer to them in the standings than Anaheim.
Add in the way they won. Good pitching, tight games and it definitely makes you feel good about the playoffs. AJ and Andy both pitched well and Chad Gaudin looked great until he tired.
One thing that this game shows you is that Joe Girardi doesn't have much use for Bruney right now. I can't blame him, Bruney hasn't pitched well, but the fact that Girardi gave the ball to Ian Kennedy in the eighth with a one-run lead speaks volumes. It was even more amazing that Josh Towers was the guy warming up in the bullpen when Kennedy got in trouble. Right now I think you have to expect the Yankees will keep Bruney off the postseason roster and DFA him after the season.
No matter what happens in the next 48 hours, the Yankees will have at least a 5.5 game lead in the AL when Boston comes to town. And, both authors of this blog will be attending Saturday's game together. Expect lots of posts, tweets and updates, assuming Andy survives a trip to the Bronx.
Comments
Couldn't agree more with your assessment of the games and the performances of AJ and Andy. It would be truly wonderful if AJ threw fewer pitches per inning but he seems to need to work the corners for balls to get those swingnamiss strikes.
Ike looked good. Had some balls run on him, but his velocity and breaks looked really good.
My guess is that they hang on to Bruney and give him a shot in 10. He's got too high a ceiling as a great setup guy to let him get away. He's stopped BSing the coaches apparently, now it may just be a question of rediscovering what made him so dominant last year.
Have fun at the game, guys. And Andy? Take notes cause that's what a good ball park is supposed to look like. Oh, and by the way, don't wear a Sox cap, as it, uh, um, well ... it tends to incite the natives. And Peter? Don't let him get too vocal about it either - need both of you back home safe.
Go Yankees !!!
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 23, 2009 08:09 PM
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Mitchell
Andy and I have an understanding. If he wears a Sox cap he is on his own. We'll see what he ends up doing on Saturday.
Watching AJ today reminded me of that great line from "Bull Durham" "Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic." 11 K's tends to get those pitch counts up there.
You may be right about Bruney in '10. I think it will come down to how many spots on the 40-man the Yankees need to protect minor leaguers from the Rule 5.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 23, 2009 10:29 PM
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